Trio Represent ODAC Schools as Academic All-Americans

FOREST, Va. ---Ferrum College running back Brian Mann, University of Lynchburg goalkeeper Delia LoSapio, and Randolph-Macon College midfielder Maddie Burns headline the ODAC's contingent of academic student-athlete honors from CoSIDA as the trio were tabbed Google Cloud Academic All-Americans from the fall seasons. Their recognition leads a larger list of 22 ODAC honorees that earned Academic All-District laurels, which also serves as eligibility criteria for Academic All-America.

The Division III Google Cloud Academic All-America® program is financially supported by the NCAA Division III national governance structure to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2018-19 Division III Academic All-America® teams.

LoSapio, a senior from Raleigh, N.C., is the eighth women's soccer Academic All-American for Lynchburg women's soccer and continues a trend that has seen five women's soccer student-athletes earn this recognition in the last six years. Lynchburg's 2018-19 Sommerville Scholar -- the highest undergraduate honor the institution bestows -- LoSapio carries a 3.92 grade point average and will graduate having majored in biomedical science with minors in gender studies, health promotion, and history. On the field, the two-year starter in-front of goal helped lead Lynchburg to its second straight and 16th overall ODAC championship. LoSapio, who ranked 45th nationally and second in the ODAC in save percentage (.857) and goals-against average (.661), played a key role in Lynchburg reaching the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament.

Burns, a senior from Glen Allen, Va., adds this honor to the 2018 ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete of the Year award she earned for women's soccer. In the classroom, Burns boasts a 4.05 grade point average as a business major with a concentration in management as well as a minor in communication studies. A perennial member of the ODAC All-Academic Team and R-MC Dean's List, Burns' career awards are numerous including a Presidential Scholarship and Teo Ruiz and Doug Foard Freshman Achievement Award in addition to memberships in Omicron Delta Kappa (leadership) and Omicron Delta Epsilon (economics) honor societies. Burns also serves as the national SAAC representative for the ODAC and partner Middle Athletic Conference. On the field, Burns has been a versatile performer for head coach Jay Howell's squad as she has played and produced up and down the pitch. Primarily a midfielder this season, Burns got forward for a pair of goals to register four points. She will graduate having collected 10 points on five goals over 58 games played including 39 starts.

LoSapio and Burns are two of the ODAC's four representatives on the women's soccer Academic All-District Team. Joining Burns is her twin sister and fellow midfielder Jenna Burns, while LoSapio is also paired with a teammate in centerback Katie Waring.

Mann, a junior from Pearisburg, Va., is the first Ferrum student-athlete to earn athletic and academic All-America recognition. He is the seventh overall Ferrum Academic All-American and second from the football program. In the classroom, Mann boasts a 3.56 grade point average with majors in business administration and finanacial management. The Second Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) piled up 1,605 yards and 15 touchdowns on 244 carries this season. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry in 2018, capping the season with an All-ODAC First Team nod. It was his third straight all-conference first team honor, including two he earned from the USA South Athletic Conference in 2016 and 2017. Mann led the ODAC in rushing with 160.5 yards per game. He currently holds 14 schools records including game, season, and career rushing yards.

While ODAC men's soccer and volleyball were not represented on Academic All-American rosters, both sports saw student-athletes highlighted on the Academic All-District lists. In volleyball, Bridgewater outside hitter Rachel Gaston was joined by Eastern Mennonite University middle Maria Yoder and Washington and Lee University middle Courtney Berry.